Poison the Well Announce New Album "Peace In Place" + Share "Thoroughbreds" Video

POISON THE WELL released the definitive album The Opposite of December... A Season of Separation in December 1999 and it went on to become a benchmark of the genre that has inspired a generation of bands. The album was chosen as one of the "15 '90s Metalcore Albums That Still Resonate Today" by Brooklyn Vegan; as one of the "21 Best U.S. Metalcore Albums of All Time" by Kerrang!; as one of the "25 Best Metalcore Albums of All Time" by Loudwire; and as one of the "Top 60 Best Hard Rock Albums of All Time" by Revolver. Its influence is indisputable.

But the band is not content to rest on the laurels of its past achievements, as mighty as those achievements are.

Today, PTW announce the March 20 release of PEACE IN PLACE, their first album in 16 years.   It will arrive via SharpTone Records. Pre-order it here. 

They are also sharing the video for "THOROUGHBREDS."

Watch it Below:

The song boasts all the hallmarks fans have come to know, love, and expect from Poison the Well — introspective lyrics, urgent riffing, massive breakdowns that cause tectonic plates to shift, and soaring melodies.

"Joining Poison the Well at 18 and chasing music shaped how I approach life," says singer Jeffrey Moreira. "Coming back 16 years later — unsure if I could still do what I once left behind — only reinforced how strong our bond is and how much this band has given me. I'm grateful to do this again with my friends, and to share a record made with honesty, intention, and connection at its core."

Regarding the new song "THOROUGHBREDS," he says, "Beasts of burden are hard to break—not because they're strong, but because they're stubborn. 'Thoroughbreds' is about realizing that some lifelong bonds don't fail early; they fail after you believed they were there to stay."

As for the album as a complete body of work, the singer shares. "Peace In Place is probably the most pissed record we've ever made. After stepping away from Poison the Well,  it felt like all the emotion from that time — frustration, heartache, disappointment — compressed into something heavy and unavoidable. But anger isn't what drives us. Connection is. Sometimes that connection starts in darker places, and having an outlet for those emotions is how we find our way forward. This record lives across that entire spectrum. It’s about turning something negative into something honest, putting it into the world, and realizing that even in anger, we’re still capable of moving forward, relating to each other, and finding some form of peace—if not happiness, then at least a place to stand."

PTW also collaborate with Frank Maddocks (Linking Park, Deftones) on the Peace In Place cover art.
 
POISON THE WELL ARE:
Jeffrey Moriera — Vocals 
Ryan Primack — Guitar
Vadim Taver — Guitar 
Christopher Hornbrook — Drums 
Noah Harmon — Bass

ABOUT POISON THE WELL:
In the space of barely a breath, Poison the Well pacify fits of jarring brutality with moments of fragile beauty. Their unmistakable melodic hardcore gently dilutes the effects of trauma, betrayal, depression, and loss with hard-won wisdom and diligently earned self-acceptance. For as much force as they commit to the riffs and the breakdowns, there’s an equal amount of naked emotion encoded in their relatable hooks. At this point, they are unassumingly, yet undeniably embedded in the DNA of modern metal and hardcore. Poison The Well’s 1999 debut, The Opposite of December… A Season of Separation has claimed spots on Brooklyn Vegan's 15 '90s Metalcore Albums That Still Resonate Today; KERRANG!'s 21 Best U.S. Metalcore Albums of All Time; Loudwire's 25 Best Metalcore Albums of All Time; and Revolver's 10 Most Influential Metalcore Albums of All Time. Stereogumput it best, "The Opposite of December… A Season of Separationinfluenced a whole generation of metalcore bands." Meanwhile, 2003's You Come Before You remains regarded among Metal Hammer's 100 Greatest Metal Albums of the 21st Century and Rock Sound's 250 Greatest Albums of Our Lifetime. Despite going on hiatus following 2009's The Tropic Rot, the group's influence has only expanded over the years (as evidenced by over 100 million streams across their catalog). After touring in 2015 and 2021, they've commemorated milestone birthdays of both You Come Before You and The Opposite of December... with in-demand headline jaunts. Once again, the members felt an intense need to create as a unit. Rallying together, the guys channeled the spirit of their most celebrated material through a prism of new experience on their sixth full-length offering, Peace In Place.

Post-Rock Trio Jagged City Share "Ocean East, Ocean West" Video

Post-rock band Jagged City, featuring Jake Woodruff (Defeater) and Carlos Torres (former touring member of Explosions In The Sky) have unveiled their new single "Ocean East, Ocean West." This is the second single taken from their debut EP, There Are More of Us, Always, to be released on January 30 via Pelagic Records.

Watch the visualizer Below.

Stream HERE.

There Are More of Us, Always is a bold collection that moves between spacious, melodic guitar passages and raucous, swelling climbs. With heartfelt, melodious songwriting, a diverse range of eclectic touches buried within, and eruptions of dense, layered sound, this record delivers wonderfully balanced compositions through raw and personal production.

The project began as a cross-continental art experiment between Woodruff and Torres. What started as a simple exchange of ideas quickly found real shape through collaborative composition and thoughtful arrangement. Early sessions with David Haik helped refine the song structures and drum frameworks, setting the groundwork for what would become Jagged City's striking debut.

"We wrote with pure instinct, just tried to add something new to a genre that we love. As we traded ideas, we took some left turns and incorporated elements that may be unexpected," commented Woodruff.

When it came time to record, scheduling issues led to an inspired change of plans. Urian Hackney joined the project both behind the kit and behind the board, engineering and performing the drum parts that propel the record. In two intense days at The Box studio in Burlington, Vermont, Jake and Urian captured the core of the album with an immediacy and urgency that remain audible in every take. 

Carlos recorded bass in Los Angeles alongside longtime musical colleague Michael James (Explosions In The Sky), while Jake added further guitar textures from his home studio, creating layers that thread the compositions together.

This debut is both a statement of intent and an open invitation: Jagged City offer music that rewards close listening and communal experience—an instrumental journey shaped by collaboration and a fierce commitment to feeling. While still post-rock, There Are More of Us, Always utilizes a diverse range of influence, giving a freshness to each uniquely realized track.

"This record is a product of collaboration and love and creativity - we hope it inspires people to be connected and think collaboratively and creatively together. That's the only way forward," concludes Woodruff.

JAGGED CITY ARE: 
Jake Woodruff — guitar
Carlos Torres — bass
Urian Hackney — drums & production
Featuring Takaakira Goto as guest guitarist on "Deluge in a Paper Cup"

Vicious Rumors Announce U.S. 2026 Tour + Release "Abusement Park" Video

U.S. metal band VICIOUS RUMORS have released the video for "Abusement Park" today. The song is taken from the latest studio album The Devil's Asylum. 

Watch the video Below.

Founder and guitar player Geoff Thorpe says, "In your face! Catchy riffs! Blistering solos, with a heavy metal and punk rock attitude! The new Vicious Rumors single 'Abusement Park' from The Devil's Asylum album has the band at the top of its craft! The idea of a nightmare theme park gone horror that is 'Abusement Park' came together during a recording session for the new album with me and Jimmie Evans. 'Abusement Park' is the fourth single from our current album The Devil's Asylum.

"The song is one of many standout tracks on the album. Filmed on location in Germany, Sweden, Florida and Kentucky and edited by Ingo Spörl. We thought this song had great potential with its machine gun guitars and kick drums with a melodic and harmony filled chorus in true Vicious Rumors style...after being forced to push back the tours due to my broken shoulder the guys and I are looking forward to getting the band back on the road. So come and celebrate Heavy Metal with us performing classics, deep cuts and new album tracks live worldwide in 2026."

The Devil's Asylum was released on August 29 worldwide (except Japan) through Steamhammer as CD digipak, LP version, download, and stream HERE.

VICIOUS RUMORS LIVE 2026:

2/25 —Orlando, FL — West End Trading Co.

2/26 — Tampa, FL — The Brass Mug

2/27 — Fort Myers, FL — Stet's Bar

3/1 — Atlanta, GA — 529

3/3 — Wichita, KS — John Barleycorn's

3/4 — Oklahoma City, OK — 89th Street

3/5 — Dallas, TX — Haltom Theater

3/6 — Austin, TX — Kickbutt Coffee

3/7 — San Antonio, TX — Fitzgerald's

3/9 — Albuquerque, NM — El Rey Theater

3/10 — Phoenix, AZ — Rhythm Room

3/12 — San Francisco, CA — DNA Lounge

3/13 — Reno, NV — Alturas Center Stage

3/14 — Salt Lake City, UT — Aces High Saloon

3/15 — Colorado Springs, CO — LuLu's Downtown

3/17 — Lincoln, NE — 1867 Bar

3/18 — Iowa City, IA — Wildwood

3/19 — Chicago, IL — Reggie's

3/21 — Kent, OH — The Outpost

3/24 — Providence, RI — Alchemy

3/25 — Rochester, NY — Photo City

3/26 — Catonsville, MD — Morseburgers Tavern

3/27 — Newark, NJ — Halftime Sports Bar

3/28 — Bristol, CT — Bleachers

3/29 — Harrisburg, PA — HMAC

9/12 — Brooklyn, NY  — Rage Of Armageddon Festival

9/18 — Madison, WI — Blades Of Steel Festival

Capsize Share "Under a Hollow Sky" Lyric Video

In late 2025, Capsize announced their return with "The Fracture," their first release since signing to Roux & Ruin Records. 

The band drops another new track — this time with "Under a Hollow Sky." Watch the lyric video below.

"With the release of this new single, we're opening another window into what we've been building without revealing the full picture just yet," says singer Daniel Wand. "Cody Stewart (Falling In Reverse, nothing, nowhere) helped bring the production to the finish line on this one, and we're excited about where things are quietly headed."

After several years of sporadic single drops, Capsize fans can look forward to a new physical release, on deck for 2026, with more details to be revealed shortly. The next release will be the band's first since A Reintroduction: The Essence Of All That Surrounds Me, which arrived in 2016 via Equal Vision Records.

There is even more to come from Capsize.

The Veer Union Drop New Single

Canadian metalcore outfit The Veer Union return with their powerful new single "Venom In My Veins," offering another intense glimpse into their upcoming album Reinvention, set for release on February 20.
 

Driven by massive hooks, gritty guitar work, and the unmistakable vocal presence of frontman Crispin Earl, "Venom In My Veins" blends raw aggression with emotional weight. The track captures The Veer Union at their most focused and personal — balancing modern metalcore intensity with the band’s signature hard-rock songwriting, resulting in a song that hits hard while remaining deeply relatable.
 

Following a series of strong releases that have steadily shaped the narrative of Reinvention, the new single continues to underline the album’s core theme: transformation through adversity. Rather than reinventing themselves for the sake of change, The Veer Union refine everything that defines them — heavier, sharper, and more honest than ever before.

With Reinvention arriving on February 20, 2026, The Veer Union are building toward one of the most defining chapters of their career. "Venom In My Veins" stands as another clear statement of intent: this is a band fully in control of their sound, their message, and their momentum.

Watch the music video Below:

Lionheart Release New Album

California hardcore powerhouse Lionheart have officially entered full domination mode with the release of their new album Valley Of Death II, cementing one of the most aggressive and effective album campaigns modern hardcore has seen in years.
 

Musically, Valley Of Death II delivers exactly what its title promises. Crushing grooves, merciless riffs, and commanding gang shouts collide with an even darker, heavier, and more confrontational atmosphere than its predecessor. Serving as the long-awaited sequel to their 2019 fan favorite, the album finds Lionheart fully locked in, focused, and firing on all cylinders — a band that knows exactly who they are and how hard they want to hit.
 

Freshly released via Arising Empire, Valley Of Death II is not about reinvention, but escalation. One track after another underlines why Lionheart have reclaimed their position at the top of modern hardcore and why the response to this release cycle has been nothing short of overwhelming.
 

To complete this massive chapter, Lionheart will return to Europe in January 2026 for a huge headline tour, joined by hardcore royalty Madball, metalcore heavyweights Gideon, and German crossover force Slope.
 

From the first comeback blow to the final album drop, Lionheart make one thing unmistakably clear: this era isn’t about survival — it's about total domination.

Catch the band live in Europe — more info HERE.

ZP Theart (ex-DragonForce, ex-Skid Row) Has An Anniversary Gift for Fans

Iconic metal vocalist ZP Theart has officially released a special 20th anniversary cover of the power metal anthem "Through the Fire and Flames." Watch it below.

Commemorating two decades to the day since the release of the original recording, Theart describes the release as a heartfelt gift to the fans who have supported his journey since the 2000s.

For this project, Theart entrusted producer and multi-instrumentalist Syndrone with a full sonic overhaul. Syndrone provided the revamped core instrumentation, setting the stage for a masterclass in modern guitar. In a nod to the song's legendary difficulty, rising guitar stars Sophie Burrell and Bradley Hall deliver jaw- dropping guest solos, weaving their own technical fury into the song's framework.

"This song changed so many lives, along with my own, and I thought it was time to give it a proper re-visit," says Theart. "Working with Syndrone to modernize the sound while having Sophie and Bradley add their incredible styles was the perfect way to celebrate this 20 year milestone."

He continues, "Revisiting this song after twenty years is about honoring the incredible energy the fans have kept alive since the very beginning. I wanted to stay true to that spirit while also pushing the sound forward. Working with Syndrone, Sophie, and Bradley brought that same intensity, but with a new perspective for what comes next."

The anniversary single is available now on all major streaming platforms.

For more information, visit here.

Black Veil Brides Kick Off 2026 with "Certainty"// New Song + Music Video Out Now

Black Veil Brides — comprised of vocalist Andy Biersack, guitarists Jake Pitts and Jinxx, bassist Lonny Eagleton, and drummer Christian Coma — are ushering in the new year with the release of their dynamic and emotionally charged anthem, "Certainty," delivered with a powerful music video.

The single will appear on the band's upcoming album — due for release via Spinefarm later this year — and is available now on all digital service providers HERE.

"The concept of 'Certainty' is central to this record and appears throughout the album," explains Biersack. "The song was inspired by the film Conclave, particularly its reflections on religious certainty and how rigid belief systems can become prisons of our own making. When certainty hardens, curiosity, growth, and the willingness to change become impossible. Much of today's political and social discourse exists inside these echo chambers of absolute belief, and that tension drives the narrative of this record."

To coincide with the release, Black Veil Brides have unveiled a striking new music video for "Certainty," directed by George Gallardo Kattah (Chelsea Wolfe, Maneskin) and filmed while the band was on tour in Colombia. Featuring stunning cinematography and an intensity reminiscent of an A24 motion picture, the video mirrors the song's themes. Further, it exemplifies the bold visual identity Black Veil Brides have cultivated throughout their career.

The music video can be seen below.

Biersack adds, "This was the final song written and recorded for the album. It started from an idea Jake sent over, and it came together quickly over the course of a few days. It felt essential both narratively and musically, capturing the overall tone of what we’re aiming for. The music video, directed by George Gallardo Kattah and his team in Bogotá, Colombia, is one of our favorites we’ve ever done. His interpretation of fear and pride as biblical twins is stunning, and the visuals are incredible."

More information on Black Veil Brides seventh studio album will be available soon.

Like their band name suggests, Black Veil Brides evoke transcendent visions of an impenetrable hereafter, intermingling with a steely focus on the dark passions and elusive mysteries of the here and now. A romantic fantasy first summoned in a small town by founder Andy Biersack – a creative who was fascinated with death rock, theatricality, and monsters (both real and imagined). It wasn't until moving to Los Angeles that the unstoppable force the band is currently became finalized. The band's (and its other members Jake Pitts, Jinxx, Lonny Eagleton, Christian Coma) Instagram and Twitter accounts command close to 12 million followers between them. The Phantom Tomorrow, the group's last full-length album, went to No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Hard Rock Albums chart. Their last single "Bleeders" — through their new label home Spinefarm — propelled them to the top of the Active Rock radio charts. In the hearts and minds of their fans, the band represents an unwillingness to compromise and a resistance to critics (personal and professional). Fueled by the same fire as the group's own heroes, the iconoclasts whose creative output, once dismissed, is now canonized. Now after 15 years of leading the BVB Army, the next phase of Black Veil Brides begins with a joyful "Hallelujah" and a definite sense of "Certainty."

Mayhem Drop "Life Is a Corpse You Drag" Video

Mayhem, the defining pioneers of black metal return with their seventh studio album, Liturgy of Death.

With this release, Mayhem further solidify their standing as one of the most unyielding forces in extreme music. Now more than four decades into their career, they turn their focus toward the unavoidable presence of mortality.

Liturgy of Death explores the philosophy of mortality with stark, uncompromising clarity. The album presents death not as an ending, but as a universal law that touches all life and exposes the fragility of human existence. This impermanence becomes a call to live with full intensity, for every gain and loss ultimately falls back into the same silence. Echoing ancient philosophies, the album portrays life as a transitional state and death as a gateway to a higher form of being, while the solemn, dark beauty of death permeates the entire work.

Stream new single "Life Is a Corpse You Drag" HERE.

Mayhem's Attila comments on the new track, "'Life Is a Corpse You Drag' is not a slogan, but a ritual and a realization. It names an ancient law: Consciousness as burden, the body as vessel, faith as a seal on a grave already closed. There is no comfort in this recognition but there is release. If we have been dead all along, there is nothing left to lose. What remains is pure energy: Movement without fear, presence without compromise, a victorious march into the final destruction."

Pre-order Liturgy of Death HERE.

With Necrobutcher, Hellhammer, Attila, Morten Bergeton Iversen, and Ghul locked into a unit tighter than ever, Liturgy of Death celebrates Mayhem's own legacy, a continuation of the raw and uncompromising sound that defined their beginnings. The result is a merciless record — dark, fast, and unrelenting — that captures the band in their most dangerous and vital form. 41 years since their formation in Langhus, Mayhem remain a defining force in Norwegian black metal, continuing to shape the sound they helped create.

MAYHEM LINEUP:
Attila — Vocals
Ghul — Guitar
Hellhammer — Drums
Necrobutcher — Bass
Morten Bergeton Iversen — Guitar

NYC Heavy Metal Icons Prong to Release New Live Album "Live and Uncleansed" on 3/6

There's one thing that most people readily agrees on: Live concerts are the icing on the cake for musicians and fans alike. Every show is a very special experience and sometimes even creates an almost magical performance. Such moments are beyond explanation; you just have to be there to believe it or, in a best-case scenario, have them recorded for posterity — as American Metal act Prong have done with their latest live album. 

It is exactly what guitarist/vocalist Tommy Victor and bandmates Christopher Dean (bass) and Tyler Joseph (drums) have achieved on Live And Uncleansed.

 Recorded over seven nights in July and August 2025, they are now ready to present 11 powerful live songs, plus three live bonus tracks, all pure and unadulterated, authentic and honest, which is the reason why the result is so incredibly captivating.

 "We were really well rehearsed, this is truly a live (!) record, everything is as is," explains Victor, proudly adding: "You can hear some of the little mistakes here and there, but that makes it cool!"

PRE-ORDER LIVE AND UNCLEANSED — OUT MARCH 6 — HERE

Status Quo's Francis Rossi Shares Double Single "Push Comes To Shove + November Again"

Francis Rossi kicks off 2026 in emphatic style with two brand-new songs, released as a digital double single and taken from his long-awaited new studio album The Accidental, out January 30.

"Push Comes To Shove" bursts with energy, grit and Rossi's unmistakable guitar sound, while "November Again" turns a melancholy refrain into a soaring, catchy chorus. Both tracks capture the founding Status Quo frontman in full flow: Confident, energized, and recalling the sound that made him a cornerstone of British rock.

The Accidental was born from spontaneous studio sessions with guitarist Hiran Ilangantilike and co-producer Andy Brook, resulting in a vibrant album that sounds immediate, alive and free of expectations.

Together, with the previously released tracks "Something In The Air (Stormy Weather)" and "Go Man Go," the new songs "Push Comes To Shove" and "November Again" set the tone for what promises to be one of Francis Rossi's most exciting solo releases to date.

The Accidental finds Francis Rossi once more at the top of his game, delivering a searing yet thoughtful collection of rockers that will please anyone who likes their heavy cut with melody and verve.

Listen to the "Push Comes To Shove" + November Again" Below.

Pre-Order The Accidental HERE.

"For anyone who liked any of my solo albums previously," says Francis Rossi, "… well, I've no idea what you'll make of this one because it's a real departure, but I love it. It's loud, the guitars are right to the fore, and there are some great songs there."

Code:Words Share New Single "Limerence"

THE ARTERY FOUNDATION recently announced that it had added CODE:WORDS to its roster.

Today, the band debuts its new single "Limerence."

Listen Below.

Vocalist John Dillon shares that the track is about "being caught in the grey area between something real and something imagined, and the mental spiral that comes with infatuation and uncertainty."

The band also has an upcoming show supporting Solely Veil at the Goldfield Trading Post in Roseville, California on January 17.

ABOUT CODE:WORDS:

When CODE:WORDS formed in Los Angeles in 2023, they did not arrive quietly. The band showed up with urgency and a sound that already felt lived in — like it had a past behind it, like they'd been a touring act for years before anyone was paying attention.

They first gained attention with "Wash the Blood," a debut that spread without a rollout or a manufactured moment. People found it on their own and kept passing it along. In just over a year, the band's catalog pushed toward two million streams — not on manufactured hype, but on repeat listens and slow-built loyalty.

Fronted by John Dillon, with Garrett Lowery and Max Codoceo, CODE:WORDS write from uncomfortable places: Obsession. Shame. Control. Emotional exhaustion. Nothing is exaggerated. Nothing is softened. The music is meant to make you feel something raw, and it leaves you uneasy in the best way.

The band's sound was shaped alongside producer Hiram Hernandez (Blessthefall, Honey Revenge). The approach is deliberate. Clear, and concise with one objective; Give you everything until, you feel it all.

ABOUT THE ARTERY FOUNDATION:
The Artery Foundation is a familiar name to hard rock fans. In 2025, the brand has rebooted and is a full service company. It's a label, artist management and producer management firm, among other things. During its 2010s heyday, the brand helped author the burgeoning metalcore scene, having been responsible for singing and breaking genre titans.

From the sweaty chaos of basements and VFW halls to the world's biggest festivals, Artery has helped guide talent from local notoriety to global recognition. The list of heavy music cornerstone acts that started with Artery speaks for itself" A Day To Remember, Motionless In White, Dance Gavin Dance, Beartooth, Sleeping With Sirens, The Amity Affliction, Asking Alexandria, The Devil Wears Prada, Our Last Night, Memphis May Fire, Fit For A King, The Plot In You, Attila, Attack Attack!, and more. 

In 2010, the company launched Artery Recordings, a label imprint that gave rise to breakout acts like Chelsea Grin and Kublai Khan TX. As Artery continued to expand, founder Eric Rushing concurrently deepened his influence on Sacramento's music and nightlife culture. His handiwork is evident in various live venues, restaurants, and bars.

Shields' New Single "Miss Me" Is Their Tribute to the Unbearably Tragic Loss of a Friend

NEW ALBUM DEATH & CONNECTION OUT JANUARY 30 — PRE-ORDER

Acclaimed British metalcore band Shields have released their new single and music video "Miss Me."

The song is taken from their upcoming studio album Death & Connection, to be released on January 30 via Long Branch Records. 

"We lost someone dear to us. This song is our tribute — a personal account of the unbearably tragic farewell to our friend, George Christie," the band says.  

Stream "Miss Me" and pre-order the album HERE.

"Our new album Death & Connection is a body of work born from the absence of the people who no longer hold space in our lives," comments the band. "This record was created from a necessity to express and soothe our deepest losses; however, that was never the intention — we simply set out to make an album we wanted to hear."

Watch the "Miss Me" music video Below.

Founded in 2012 by primary songwriters Joe Edwards (vocals) and Samuel Kubrick Finney (guitar/vocals), Shields quickly made an impact in the heavy music scene with their viral single "I Just Feel Hate" — a track they re-released in a newly reimagined version in April 2025. Their EP GUILT cemented their refined sound, blending brutal instrumentation with poignant, emotionally driven lyrics. With this release, they demonstrated an aggressive adaptability to the ever-evolving alternative music landscape, winning over fans from across adjacent genres. The momentum of their powerful breakthrough led to tour cycles alongside acts such as Loathe, Ice Nine Kills, and Escape the Fate.

Shields' debut full-length album Life in Exile (2018) received critical acclaim for its raw honesty and musical maturity. However, the album cycle was tragically cut short by the sudden passing of guitarist George Christie — an event that ultimately led to the band's untimely and abrupt disbandment.

Their return marks a bold decision, given the tragic circumstances surrounding their 2018 split. Yet, Shields re-emerge with powerful new tracks, inviting audiences to witness the next evolution of their sound - matured, refined, and fearless. This new chapter is supported by a fortified lineup, featuring founding members Joe Edwards and Samuel Kubrick Finney, now joined by Alastair Wain (drums) and Krishan Pujara (bass).

If Shields' discography is any indication of what lies ahead, audiences can expect a torrent of unrelentingly bold strides into new sonic territories.

More info about Shields on tour in the UK here.

SHIELDS ARE:
Joe Edwards — Vocals
Samuel Kubrick Finney — Guitar + Vocals
Alastair Wain — Drums
Krishan Pujara — Bass

The Hirsch Effekt Explore A Less Melancholic Theme With Video for Emotional Single "Die Brücke"

Today, German rock/metal trio The Hirsch Effekt present the new single "Die Brücke."

It's the third track released from the new studio album Der Brauch, which arrives January 30 via Long Branch Records.

"Meiner? Ebenso. Viel zu lange wach schon. Echt K.O. Und bei dir? Gehst du noch raus? Jetzt noch?"

"'Die Brücke' — matching the music — takes on a less heavy theme," says singer Nils Wittrock. "It's more of an every day scene. Two people meet at home after a long day and ask each other how it went. One decides to go straight to bed. The other chooses to keep working. Amidst the every day stress, the protagonist — realizing how much the close environment depends on him — tries to remain a safe harbor."

Watch the "Die Brücke" video Below. 

Stream the new single and pre-order the album HERE.

Since their formation The Hirsch Effekt have carved out a unique niche in the German-speaking music scene. Yet, despite — or perhaps because of — their elusiveness, the band has captivated a devoted audience. Musically, The Hirsch Effekt have always embraced limitless possibilities. Acoustic, introspective moments — where bassist Ilja John Lappin brings out his cello or guitarist Nils Wittrock returns to his classical roots — sit naturally alongside massive progressive metal onslaughts.

While earlier works, despite their diversity, were still labeled "metal albums," this new record explores paths first hinted at on the multilayered second album, Holon: Anamnesis — the same album that fans of VISIONS magazinevoted the only German-language entry among the 20 best albums of all time. Der Brauch can be seen as a return to that pivotal point - and simultaneously as a bold step forward. Drummer Moritz Schmidt doesn't entirely forgo blast beats, but the record demands a new heading. In the end, though, there is only one truth: It unmistakably sounds like The Hirsch Effekt.

THE HIRSCH EFFEKT ARE:
Nils Wittrock — Guitar, Vocals
Ilja John Lappin — Bass, Vocals
Moritz Schmidt — Drums, Vocals

DISTANT RELEASE VIDEO FOR NEW SINGLE "NOTHING LEFT TO HATE"

After releasing "Desolation" in October, the Netherlands Dutch/Slovakian down-tempo x deathcore band DISTANT are dropping the new single, "Nothing Left To Hate." Watch the video Below.

The band comments, "'Nothing Left To Hate' is DISTANT at full destructive force — thicker riffs, deeper grooves, and a raw dive into self-destruction and chaos. The track is made for circle-pits, rage workouts, and letting the anger out."

The single lands right before DISTANT join Sylosis for a massive EU tour starting January 16, placing the band in front of thousands of new fans across Europe.

In the past two months, DISTANT played the Evisceratour with Ingested and Ov Sulfur in the USA and Canada as well as their own Dutch Xmas Special with Cabal and local supports to help their native scene.

DISTANT have become one of the prominent faces of European Deathcore. Melding together brutal death metal, slam, noise and beatdown with a hyper-dissonant orchestra of impending doom, they've come eons since their origins as metalcore obsessed friends in Rotterdam and Bratislava.

Freedom Call Release Video for New Single "Heavy Metal Happycore" (Feat, Petri Lindroos of Ensiferum)

German "Happy Metal" pioneers FREEDOM CALL have released the video for their new brand new single "Heavy Metal Happycore" today. The song features Petri Lindroos of Ensiferum.

Singer/guitarist Chris Bay says, "The brand new song 'Heavy Metal Happycore' was born from the idea of creating a superlative to the musical style 'Happy Metal.' With 'Heavy Metal Happycore,' Freedom Call, known for their extremely melodic and catchy metal music style combined with positive and life-affirming lyrics, has created an additional and previously unprecedented and concise trademark. With the overwhelming images of our incredible audience in mind, we set out to write a song that immediately engages the listener and highlights all the typical elements of our musical style ...a song that ultimately leads us to a new era of Happy Metal — HAPPYCORE!"
 

The song is available on all digital platforms HERE.

Watch the video Below.

Don't miss Freedom Call on tour with Ensiferum and Dragony starting in Heidelberg, Germany today. Tickets are available HERE.

Spite Announce Spring 2026 "NEW WORLD KILLER" Headline Tour

Southern California quintet SPITE unleashed their new album NEW WORLD KILLER last Halloween via Rise Records. Listen here.

Today, the band — Darius Tehrani, vocals; Alex Tehrani; guitar; Ben Bamford, bass; and Travis Regnier, drums — have announced their Spring and Summer 2026 headline tour featuring Emmure, Psycho-Frame, and Reverent.

The NEW WORLD KILLER TOUR kicks off on May 29 in Portland, Oregon and runs trough June 27 in Pomona, California. 

 All dates are below. Tickets go on sale on Friday, January 9 at 10am local time.

SPITE ON TOUR:
WITH EMMURE, PSYCHO-FRAME, + REVERENT:
5/29 — Portland, OR — Hawthorne Theatre
5/30 — Seattle, WA — The Crocodile
6/1 — Salt Lake City, UT — The Complex
6/2 — Denver, CO — Summit
6/3 — Lawrence, KS — Granada Theater
6/5 — Minneapolis, MN — Varsity Theater
6/6 — Chicago, IL — Bottom Lounge
6/7 — Detroit, MI — St. Andrews Hall 
6/9 — Toronto, ON — Phoenix 
6/10 — Montreal, QC — Beanfield Theatre
6/12 — Worcester, MA — Palladium
6/13 — New York, NY — Gramercy Theatre 
6/14 — Philadelphia, PA — TLA 
6/15 — Pittsburgh, PA — Roxian Theatre
6/17 — Baltimore, MD — Soundstage
6/18 — Charlotte, NC — The Underground
6/19 — Nashville, TN — Eastside Bowl 
6/20 — Atlanta, GA — Masquerade 
6/21 — Tampa, FL — Orpheum 
6/23 — Houston, TX — Warehouse Live 
6/24 — Dallas, TX  — South Side Music Hall 
6/26 — Mesa, AZ — Nile 
6/27 — Pomona, CA  — Glasshouse

Moodring Share "Cannibal" Visualizer

Founded in Florida yet now based in Atlanta, Georgia, Moodring is a nu-metal x alt-rock project led by dynamic frontman Hunter Young.

The band's 2022 debut Stargazer captured attention from the tastemaker crowd, including a 4 out of 5 star review from Kerrang! The band recently signed to SharpTone Records. Today, Moodring have shared the visualizer for the new single "Cannibal." The track has a very late '90s and early '00s hard rock energy, with chunky riffs, kinetic synths, and the expected dark subject matter the Moodring are known for.

Watch it below.

"'Cannibal' was one of the last songs added to record, sonically focused on combining nu metal, alt rock, and industrial dance music," Young says. "The song takes the life and mating cycles of black widow spiders to compare and contrast intimate relationships of our own and how they can be 'cannibalistic,' nihilistic, and ultimately end in demise."

The song is also being used to in the trailer for the new season of the Crunchyroll series Clevatess. Watch it here.

Earlier this year, Moodring shared the video for "Half-Life." Watch it here.

GORE. Go Back in Time With GOT-Inspired "Wrath" Video

Texas metal quartet GORE. — vocalist Haley Roughton, guitarist Alex Reyes, bassist Devin Birchfield, and drummer Wills Weller — dropped their latest EP, titled IF YOU DO NOT FEAR ME... earlier this year. Get it here.

The band has also shared the video for "Wrath." Watch it below. 

You will transported to a medieval moment in time, as singer Haley Roughton does battle with an archer and beyond in this gripping cinematic footage. It's giving Game of Thrones vibes.

"The 'Wrath' video is fully leaning into the 'Disney Princess Metal' vibe that the song brings," says Roughton. "I get to be a damsel in distress that gives her soul to a man that was supposed to save her, but ends up stealing her soul away for corruption. I haunt his every waking move afterwards, and eventually cause him to go mad and kill his comrades. This is by far one of the coolest music videos I've ever seen and I'm so grateful that it happens to be ours!"

"'Wrath' is the culmination of resentment, cynicism and fear that was made from the experiences in A Bud That Never Blooms," the band has said about the song. "Between the societal turmoil of 'Doomsday,' the death of romance in 'Babylon,' and the familial heartbreak in 'Heaven Is Above Me,' the human condition can wreak havoc on what was supposed to be stability and peace."

The new EP follows GORE.'s Spinefarm debut, the A Bud That Never Blooms EP (2024), which saw the band tipped as a "Band You Need To Know" by Revolverand described as "cutting-edge modern metal at its most vulnerable" by NME in their 2025 Essential Emerging Artists list.

ABOUT GORE.:
Haley Roughton leads the charge in Gore., a band that brings a distinctly feminine perspective to the heavy music scene. Debuted in 2023 with guitarist Alex Reyes, bassist Devin Birchfield, and now drummer Wills Weller, the Texas-based trio quickly made waves with their emotionally raw and unapologetically vulnerable sound. Their signing to Spinefarm solidifies their place in the industry. Gore.'s A Bud That Never Blooms EP serves as a deeply personal exploration of the complexities of femininity. Tracks like "Babylon" confront the painful realities of womanhood, while "Doomsday" reflects on the desensitization to violence and suffering in today's world. With plans for more music in 2025, Gore. are poised to continue challenging norms and expressing the full spectrum of feminine experience through their powerful sound.

The Artery Foundation Signs Code:Words

THE ARTERY FOUNDATION WELCOMES CODE:WORDS TO THE ROSTER

BAND TO RELEASE NEW SINGLE "LIMERENCE" ON JANUARY 9

THE ARTERY FOUNDATION is pleased to announce that it has signed CODE:WORDS to its roster.

On January 9, the band will debut its new single "Limerence." Pre-save it hereand stay tuned for more.

When CODE:WORDS formed in Los Angeles in 2023, they did not arrive quietly. The band showed up with urgency and a sound that already felt lived in — like it had a past behind it, like they'd been a touring act for years before anyone was paying attention.

They first gained attention with "Wash the Blood," a debut that spread without a rollout or a manufactured moment. People found it on their own and kept passing it along. In just over a year, the band's catalog pushed toward two million streams — not on manufactured hype, but on repeat listens and slow-built loyalty.

Fronted by John Dillon, with Garrett Lowery and Max Codeco, CODE:WORDS write from uncomfortable places: Obsession. Shame. Control. Emotional exhaustion. Nothing is exaggerated. Nothing is softened. The music is meant to make you feel something raw, and it leaves you uneasy in the best way.

The band's sound was shaped alongside producer Hiram Hernandez (PINKNOISE, Magnolia Park, Dark Divine). The approach is deliberate. Clear, and concise with one objective; Give you everything until, you feel it all.

"We're beyond excited to be signing with the legends at Artery Foundation," the band says. "It feels like the right home for the band and a massive step forward for everything we've been building. This new chapter starts with our upcoming single 'Limerence,' which might just be our best song yet. We've poured so much of ourselves into shaping this next era and we can't wait for everyone to share this experience with us."

Eric Rushing, President of The Artery Foundation, echoed the sentiments, saying, "CODE:WORDS is one of those rare bands that arrived fully-formed, unapologetic, and already resonating with listeners in a way you can’t manufacture. Artery is excited to stand behind a band that is scratching the surface of something great."

"Limerence" is only just the beginning of what's on tap with Code:Words.